Underneath My Feet [T. Shelby]

Never Free

It had been days since her visit to Birmingham and Amelia was beginning to feel somewhat normal again. However she couldn't deny that her thoughts where plagued by him, it was his eyes that she felt following her wherever she went.

Was he being honest when he said he would see her soon? Had it been a threat? It was all up in the air. Instead of obsessing over it all Amelia decided to take on more shifts at work.

Amelia has been working alongside a doctor called John who was tall, handsome and very sweet towards her. They had got on like a house on fire as they worked their way through their patients.

John has also suggested that he take Amelia for dinner as a thank you for helping him with his paperwork. Amelia knew this was his way of coyly asking her on a date.

Amelia said yes. Amelia only said yes as a way to push Tommy out of her head. It wasn't fair to John but she was hoping he would help her in this way.

Amelia was ready later that evening. It had been nice to get dressed up to go out instead of sitting in her house feeling that any moment the walls would cave in.

Amelia sighed as she checked her reflection one last time. There was no anticipation or excitement tonight and she worried that she would never feel those emotions again.

There was a short knock at Amelia's door and she made her way over and opened it to find John stood there with a big smile on his face.

"You look beautiful" he said as he reached out his arm for her to take.

Amelia laughed nervously and took his arm as he guided her towards his car. "Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself"

As she took her seat at the side of him she noted how different he seemed out of the work place. More free and smiled more. Amelia wondered if this was his true persona.

—-
Quickly enough they pulled up to a small Italian restaurant that had come highly recommended from one of John's friends. Amelia couldn't help but suddenly feel trapped as she was guided into the restaurant by Johns hand on the small of her back.

Tommy had done this to her numerous times but it had always made her feel safe. Tonight it made her feel vulnerable.

Not bothering to ask Amelia what she would like to drink John ordered her a gin. Amelia couldn't help but feel annoyed at this action but decided to let it drop.

"So a little birdie tells me it's your birthday soon" John said as he leaned over the table with a gleam in his brown eyes.

Amelia pushed her hair over her shoulder and took a sip of her gin. If she had to guess it would of been Lisa who told John about her birthday.

"Yes, it's tomorrow" and she smiled.

John suddenly looked perplexed at the information but quickly hid it.

"Well, we should celebrate tomorrow!"

"Oh no, please, it's not a big deal. I prefer to keep my birthdays low key" and Amelia suddenly leaned back as the waiter placed a warm bread basket in between them both.

"You should of booked the day off" he said as he sipped his beer. Amelia couldn't help but notice he didn't drink whiskey.

Amelia shook her head "Oh definitely not! I like to keep myself busy"

"You do" he agreed "that is one thing I like about you"

Amelia instantly blushed at the forwardness of his compliment and tried to hide it by looking out into the restaurant.